Spring mechanism for vehicles.



J. H. SAGER. SPRING MECHANISM FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED APR.26| I9I3.

Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

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\vmnww HUD H a B w 0 NW J 1 o a N pi M m E m g a 0% L UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES H. 'SAGER, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 J. H. SAGER COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A. CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SPRING MECHANISM FOR VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J AMES H. SAGER, a

citizen of the United States, and resident of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spring Mechanism for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to mechanism employed in connection with the spring-suspension of automobiles or other vehicles. such mechanism being introduced between two parts of the vehicle-gear such, for example, as an axle and the frame of the body or chassis.

Spring-mechanism for the purpose in question has heretofore been employed in which a coiled spring is inclosed within and guided by a cylinder, the cylinder and the spring being connected, respectively, with two parts of the vehicle-gear. Such devices have been employed particularly as supplementary springs, being interposed between the upper and lower members of an ordinary elliptic spring, or a platformspring, or between an axle and a transverse spring.

The present invention relates particularly to spring-mechanism for use in this manner,

although it is applicable generally to the spring-suspension of vehicles.

One object of the invention is to provide, in a simple and eflective manner, for adjustment of the mechanism to adapt it for connection with vehicle-gears having parts of different widths.

Other objects of the invention, and the features of construction and arrangement by which the several objects of the invention are attained, will be set forth in con nection with the following description of the illustrated embodiment of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is an elevation of one form of springmechanism embodying the present invention, as seen from either the front or the rear, this figure illustrating a mechanism having two parallel springs and springcylinders, and one of the cylinders, with the adjacent parts, being shown in vertical section; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the. line 2-2 in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a rear-elevation of a link of novel form for connecting the spring-mechanism of Figs. 1 and 2 with leaf-springs of the full-elliptic type; Fig. 4

is a vertical section on a fore-and-aft plane, illustrating the manner in which the link is employed to connect a leaf-spring with the spring-mechanism of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a rear-elevation of a modified form of the invention, in which a single spring and spring-cylinder are employed in connection with a transverse leaf-spring; Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line 6-43 in Fig. 5; and Fig. 7 is a vertical section on a fore-and-aft plane, illustrating a further modified form of the invention, in which a single spring and spring-cylinder are employed in connection with a fullelliptical leaf-spring.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, is designed particularly for use in connection with heavy vehicles, where a pair of springs is desirable, the mechanism being arranged for use as a supplementary spring-mechanism in connection with a three-quarter elliptic, or full-elliptic, leaf-spring of ordinary form. In this'case the mechanism comprises two parallel upright cylinders 10, which inclose two helical compression-springs 11. Each cylinder is provided with an integral closure at its upper end, as shown in the sectional portion of Fig. 1, while the lower end of the cylinder is closed by a removable cap 12, which screws upon the threaded exterior of the cylinder. In order that the cylinder may be connected with one member of the leaf-spring, or of the gear of the vehicle. each cylinder is provided, at its upper end, with an integral lug 13, these lugs being perforated to receive a bolt or pivot 15, which may conveniently be the bolt ordinarily employed to connect the upper and lower parts of the leaf-spring,

To connect the lower portions of the cylinders and hold them firmly in parallel position, each cylinder is provided with a removable ring 16, which surrounds the cylinder and has a cylindrical boss 17 projecting toward the opposite cylinders. The bosses 17 are rovided with threaded openings into WhlCh a threaded stem or couplingmember 18 is screwed. The rings 16 are normally held in place, against annular shoulders 19 upon the cylinders, by means of the caps 12, the upper edges of the caps being seated against the rings when the caps are screwed home upon the cylinders.

The arrangement above described prevides for the convenient adjustment of the spring-mechanism to adapt it for use with a leaf-spring of any width. By removing the rings 16 from the cylinders and rotating them relatively to each other, the stem 18 may be screwed more or less into the bosses 17, thus regulating the distance between the centers of the rings. In this manner the lower portion of the cylinders may be adjusted to the same distance as that between their upper ends, determined by the width of the leaf-spring and by the bolt 15 through which it is connected with the cylinders, so that the cylinders may be held in parallel relation for any width of the leaf-spring or other part to which the cylinders are to be connected.

For the purpose of connecting the springs 11 with another part ofthe vehicle-gear, or of a leaf-spring therein, a piston 20 is mounted to slide in each cylinder, the pistons resting upon the upper ends of the springs 11. Each piston is provided with a transverse pivot-pin 21,. upon which is pivoted an arm 22- projecting, laterally from the pivot-pin. The arm and the pivot-pin are connected by means of ataper-pin 23, so

that the pivot-pin is held to turn in the piston with the arm 22. The piston is slotted laterally for the passage of the narrow shank-portion 24: of the arm,.as shown particularly in Fig. 2, and the cylinder is also provided with a longitudinal slot 26, through which the shank extends to the eX- terior of the cylinder. Each arm is provided also with a cylindrical boss 27, and 7 these bosses are connected by a screw-' threaded stem or couplingmember 28, similar in form and purpose with the stem 18 which connects the rings 16. By this arrangement the distance betweenthe centers of the pistons is rendered adjustable to accommodate these parts to the adjustment,

previously described, in the distance betweenthe cylinders.

furthermore, for use as pivotal members by The bosses 27 are adapted,

which the arms and the pistons may be connected with another member of the vehiclegear, or of a leaf-spring therein. In the case of a three-quarter elliptical leaf-spring the bosses 27 may be introduced directly into the scroll-shaped uppermember of the spring, while the'end of the lower sprin member is pivotally connected to the cylinders by the bolt 15. Whenever the .leafring in question is subjected to a sufficient compression the arms 22 and the pistons are caused to slide downwardly in the cylinders and compress the springs 11, so that; the mechanism acts to absorb a portion of the shocks to which the gear of the vehicle is subject-ed.

The pivotal connection'between the arms 22 and the pistons 2i), by permitting angular movement of the parts 15 and 27 in their common plane, provides effectively against any cramping action of the pistons in the cylinders, whibh otherwise might occur in consequence of any irregularity in the action of the leaf-spring, or of any departure from parallelism in the parts of the spring or of the vehiclegear which are connected with the bolt 15 and the bosses 27, respectively. Since the bearing-surfaces between the pistons and the cylinders are entirely inclosed within the cylinders, the spring-mechanism 0f the present invention is effectually protected against the collection of dust or grit upon its bearing-surfaces, and the slots 26 are so positioned that they afford little opportunity for the, admission of dust or grit, since the forward movement of the vehicle causes such foreign material to be carried through the space between the cylinders alnd not projected in a direction to enter the s ots.

For convenience in assembling or disassembling the spring-mechanism the slots 26 tendency of either cylinder to rotate from its proper position.

Where the. above-described embodiment of the invention is to beemployed in. connection with a vehicle-gear in. whichtheleatspring is not provided with a scroll-end, as, for example, where the leaf-springis of the semi-elliptic or the full-elliptic form, itis necessary to connectthe upper part of the vehicle-gear, or of the fullrelliptic spring, as the case may be, with thepistons 20-by means of a member which extends to a position above the bolt 15. For this purpose I provide aconnectingz-link of the formshown in Figs. 3 and 4. This. link has a head. 30

which is adapted to embrace the bosses 27 connected withthe pistons. The shank 31 of the link is. oflset, as shown in Fig. 4, so as to extend upwandly alongside the bolt; 15, and the upper part of the shank is bifurcated to form two arms 45, which. are perforated to receive a bolt 32. by which. the arms may be connectedwith the upper member of the gear, or of a leaf-spring. The arms are illustrated as having their upper ends spaced farther apart than thewidth of the spring-mechanism as shown in Fig. 1, so as to adapt them to receive a spring end or other device of. maximum width. In

the case of a part of less width the arms may be readily bent to bring their ends nearer together. Fig. 4 illustrates the manner in which the spring-mechanism is connected to a full-elliptic leaf-spring, and it will be apparent from this figure that the compression to which the leaf-spring is subjected tends to draw the cylinders 10 upwardly by means of the bolt 15, while the bolt 32 tends to force the connecting-link and the spring-pistons downwardly.

\Vhere my improved spring-mechanism is employed in connection with a comparatively light vehicle a single spring and a single spring-cylinder may be employed. In Figs. 5 and 6 I have illustrated an arrangement which may be conveniently-used in connection with a vehicle having a single transverse semi-elliptic leaf-spring at the front or the rear. In this case the cylinder 33 is provided, at its lower end, with two parallel lugs 34, between which the end of the leaf-spring may be pivoted upon a bolt 43. An arm 35 is pivoted to the piston 20 by means of the pivot-pin 21, this arm having a narrow shank 36 which extends outwardly through the slots in the piston and the cylinder, and which is provided with a screwthreaded stud 37, by which it may be fixed to the lower member of the vehicle-gear as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5. In this case, owing to the pivotal connection between the arm 35 and the piston, the springmechanism takes the place of the shackle or pivoted links by which the leaf-spring is usually connected with the lower member of the vehicle-gear, the necessary movements to accommodate the mechanism to the expanding action of the leaf-spring resulting in a swinging movement of the cylinder 33 from its normal vertical position. In this instance the spring 11 is shown. as somewhat compressed, as the parts are preferably so proportioned that when the spring is subjected to the normal weight of the vehicle the cylinder will assume a substantially vertical position, as shown in Fig. 5:

\Vhere a single coil-spring and cylinder are employed in connection with a fullelliptic leaf-spring the arrangement shown in Fig. 7 may be employed. In this case I employ a link 41 which is similar in general form to the link shown in Figs. 3 and 4, except that its head 40 is pivoted directly to the piston 20 by means of the pivotpin 21. The lower bifurcated end of the link, in this case, is connected, by means of a bolt 42, with the lower member of the leaf-spring, while the upper end of the leafspring is pivoted between the lugs 34, upon a bolt 43.

In the case of the single-cylinder springmechanisms last described a ring 38 is interposed between the cap 12 and the shoulder 19 of the cylinder, this ring being provided with a tongue 39 seated in the slot in the end of the cylinder, for the purpose above described.

My invention is not limited to the embodiments thereof hereinbefore' described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but may be embodied in various other forms within the nature of the invention, as it is defined in the following claims.

I claim l. S ring-mechanism for vehicles having,

in com ination, a coil-spring; a cylinder inclosing the spring and provided with a lon gitudinal slot extending to one end of the cylinder, said end being externally threaded; means extending through the slot and cooperating with the spring; a screwthreaded cap for closing the threaded end of the cylinder; and a ring mounted on the cylinder, near said end, and provided with a tongue which lies in the slot and supports the end of the cylinder against the compressive action of the ca Spring-mechanism or vehicles having, in combination, two coil-springs; two parallel cylinders inclosing the springs and provided with lateral slots in their adjacent sides; pistons, within the cylinders, engaging the springs; arms extending through the slots and directly connecting the pistons together, said arms being pivoted to the pistons; means connecting the arms to a member of a vehicle-gear and means for connecting the cylinders, at one end, to each other and to another member of the vehiclegear.

3. Spring-mechanism for vehicles having, in combination, two coil-springs; two parallel cylinders inclosing them and provided with longitudinal 'slots in their adjacent sides; connections between the pistons; and connections between the cylinders; both of said connections being adjustable to vary the distance between the pistons and the cylinders.

4. Spring-mechanism for vehicles having, in combination, two coil-springs; two parallel cylinders inclosing them and closed at the ends, the closures for the lower ends of the cylinders being removable; longitudinal slots, in the cylinders, extending to their lower ends; pistons located between the upper ends of the springs and the cylinders; means, extending through said slots, for connecting the pistons with one member of a vehicle-gear; and connections between the lower portions of the cylinders, said connections encircling the cylinders and being removable therefrom.

5. Spring-mechanism for vehicles having, in combination, two coil-springs; two parallel cylinders inclosin them and closed at the ends, the closures or the lower ends of the cylinders being removable; longitudinal .slots, in the cylinders extending to their lower ends; pistons located between the 11pper ends of the springs and the cylinders; means, extending through said slots, for connecting the pistons with one member of a vehicle-gear; and connections between the lower portions of the cylinders, said connections being removable therefrom and being normally retained in place by said'removable closures.

6. Spring-mechanism for vehicles having,

in combination, a coil-spring; a cylinder inclosing the spring and provided with a longitudinal slot; means for attaching the cylinder to one member of a vehicle-gear; and means for connecting the spring with another member of the vehicle-gear, the latter of said means comprising a link having one end offset to the plane of the axis of the spring and extending through said slot and connected with the spring, and its other end similarly offset and bifurcated to receive a part which is to be connected therewith.

7. Spring-mechanism for vehicles having, in combination, two coiled springs; two parallel cylinders inclosing the springs and provided with slots in their adjacent sides; pistons in the cylinders resting upon the springs; means extending-through the slots and pivoted to the pistons on axes normal to the plane of the axes of the cylinders, said means comprising a cylindrical pivotal part lying between the cylinders and in the plate of; their axes and adapted for pivotal connection with one member of a vehicle-gear; and means connectingthe cylinders and also comprising a cylindrical pivotal part parallel with the first mentioned part and adapted for pivotal connection with another member of the vehicle-gear.

8. Spring-mechanism for vehicles having, in combination, two pivots for engagement with the ends of two leaf-springs ot a vehicle, said pivots being normally substantially parallel; two pairs of relatively-slidable members, each having one member connected with one end of one of the pivots and the other member connected with one end of the other pivot; and springs interposed between the members of each of said pairs respectively; one of said pivots being connected with the corresponding sliding member by pivotal joints about parallel axes normal to the plane of the first-mentioned pivots, so that said pivots may have a relative angular movement in their common plane.

JAMES H. SAGER. Witnesses:

FARNUM F. DORSEY, D. GURNEE. 

